Investigating heart inflammation after a stroke

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to enroll 44 patients who have experienced an acute ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery, comparing inflammatory markers within 10 days and 60±15 days post-stroke. Additionally, 24 control patients with acute neurological symptoms but no brain infarct will be included for comparison. The study will utilize gadolinium-enhanced cardiac MRI and assess B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and systemic inflammatory markers to understand the relationship between stroke and cardiac inflammation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute ischemic stroke in the right or left MCA territory. Acute ischemic stroke is defined as acute onset focal symptoms matching an acute brain infarct documented on Head computed tomography or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI of the brain showing restricted diffusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of known atrial fibrillation, prior myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, heart failure, prior cardiovascular surgery or percutaneous intervention.
* Previous stroke (occurred within 3 months before the index event)
* Impaired renal function defined as a creatinine clearance \<97 mL/min in men or \<88 mL/min in women, according to the Cockcroft formula.
* hs-TnT \>100 on routine acute stroke baseline bloodwork upon admission.
* Clinically or neurologically unstable patients as per the treating physician.
* Ongoing infection or recent infection within the previous 3 months
* Surgery within 3 months before the stroke
* Concurrent and active inflammatory conditions (connective tissue diseases, rheumatological disease, etc.) or use of anti-inflammatory medications
* Pregnancy, Stage IV renal insufficiency, eGFR \<30, and any other contraindications to the use of gadolinium.
* Stroke with symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation
* Subjects will be excluded if they fail the LHSC standard MRI screening questionnaire (cardiac pacemakers/wires, aneurysm clips, shunt/surgical clips, shrapnel/bullets, dentures or metal braces, intra-uterine devices, heart valves, ear implants, prostheses, medication patches such as Nicoderm, Habitrol, or Transderm-Nitro, claustrophobia, history of a head or eye injury involving metal fragments.

Where it's running

• Heart & Brain Lab, Western University
  London, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Luciano Sposato, MD — London Health Sciences Center, Western University
• Study coordinator: Diana Ayan, MSc
• Email: diana.ayan@lhsc.on.ca
• Phone: +1 519.685.8500

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Paired VNS: How the Brain and Pupils Respond in Stroke Patients

  This study tests real-time physiologic responses to paired VNS in adults with chronic motor impairment after ischemic stroke to help tailor dosing.

  Recruiting MGH Institute of Health Professions · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07922200

• NeuroAiD test in mild to moderate ischemic stroke patients

  This study tests whether adding MLC901 (NeuroAiD II) to standard stroke care helps adults who recently had an ischemic stroke recover better than standard care alone.

  Recruiting Phase 4 EVD Pharmacy and Medical Company Limited · Ho Chi Minh City · NCT07828210

• Understanding heart artery disease using biomarkers and imaging in Oxford

  Researchers in Oxford are testing how biomarkers and advanced imaging can help explain why some heart artery plaques are unstable and how this affects heart damage after a heart attack.

  Recruiting University of Oxford · Oxford · NCT07772570

• Using IMPROVE to guide carotid revascularisation decisions

  This trial tests whether using the IMPROVE MRI-based score to select patients for carotid revascularisation is as good as standard care based mainly on stenosis degree, among people who have had a recent stroke or TIA due to carotid disease.

  Recruiting Maastricht University Medical Center · Arnhem, Gelderland and 9 other locations · NCT07556887

• High-intensity interval versus moderate continuous exercise for stroke-related muscle loss

  This will test whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MCIT) better helps people 1–6 months after an ischemic stroke who have muscle loss regain muscle mass, strength, walking ability, and quality of life.

  Recruiting Fenerbahce University · Istanbul, Ataşehir · NCT07456956

• Test of adding a very low-dose edoxaban to standard antiplatelet therapy to prevent another stroke in adults 75 and older

  This trial tests whether adding a tiny amount of edoxaban to aspirin or clopidogrel can better prevent a second stroke in people aged 75+ who recently had an ischemic stroke.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07454707

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.